The camera is a vital component to the system of film.  It is the “how you see it” aspect.  What began as a static method, cinematography has evolved into an art form.  In addition, we watched one of the all time great films, Sunset Blvd. Cinematography

photographic aspects of  the shot framing of shot duration of shot

photographic aspect filmmaker can control visual qualities by manipulating film stock, exposure, and developing process speed of motion – frames per second (fps)

silent era until sound was 16 to 20 fps to synchronize with sound it becomes 24 fps fewer fps = greater acceleration of screen action more fps = slower screen action – slow motion

the lens = focal length – distance from center of lens to point where light rays converge to a point of focus on film

short-focal-length (wide-angle) – exaggerates depth, show more middle-focal-length (normal) - seeks to avoid distortion, like the eye long-focal-length (telephoto) – longer lens flattens space, good for detail zoom lens - optically designed to permit continuous varying of focal length

depth of field – range of distance before the lens within which objects can be photographed in sharp focus

deep focus – allows for greater depth of field based on faster film, shorter-focal length lenses, more intense light

framing frame is a neutral border that defines the image onscreen vs. offscreen space – frame makes image finite position material is viewed

angle – use of high and low angle shots level - frame can be canted height – camera on floor or raised up distance

extreme long shot – human figure barely visible long shot – figures more prominent but background still dominant medium long shot – human figure framed from knees up medium shot – frames body from waist up medium close-up shot – frames body from chest up close-up – just showing head, hands, feet, or small objects extreme close-up – isolating a minute detail

one function of framing mentioned in class was a point-of-view shot (POV) – shot’s framing prompts us to take it as character’s vision We had a limited a limited discussion in class dealing with Sunset Blvd., so I want more!  If you have any comments or anything to add to the discussion, post it as a comment.  Should I sweeten the deal a bit?  How about one free point on your film review if you post a comment (that’s not just a sentence saying I want a free point!).  Also, keep an eye on my Twitter feed, I may be offering points there as well, but you will have to be following me to find out when and how.